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BRIDGEPORT -- One looked like a homemade crib. Another sported a festive Hawaiian-island theme. There was a fire truck and a race car as well.

The annual Black Rock Day bed race was about to get underway Sunday morning as participants warmed up and positioned their makeshift racing beds -- really go-carts with mattresses, wheels and push bars -- at the starting line.

Asked why anyone would place wheels on a mattress and push it down a city street, Kevin Marinelli offered a confused look.

"How do you not do a bed race?" the Black Rock resident replied, his Norden Club-sponsored racer -- a kid's race-car bed fitted with wheels and a push bar on the rear -- ready to go.

The point of the endeavor, aside from drinking beer, enjoying a sunny day and having fun, was to post the fastest time down the street. One person had to ride on the bed while other teammates pushed from behind.

The winner received a trophy and can keep it until next year's race -- just like the Stanley Cup.

While the event was not exactly ready for ESPN coverage, the hundreds of people attending Black Rock Day and awaiting the annual parade -- dubbed "the best small parade in America" -- were definitely amused.

"We come every year," said Roy Oarr, who was relaxing in a chair at the finish line with his dog, Nora.

"It's great. The community stays together and it's a beautiful day. It's a nice neighborhood. Except for the taxes," Oarr said, shaking his head over that last thought.

Anthony Neri's team finished first in the bed race for the third year in a row, a Triple Crown of sorts for the Neri Plumbing team.

"It feels great," Neri said after the race.

Asked how his team did it, Neri pointed to extensive training.

"We train hard each year for this event, climbing hills and heavy weight training. And 12-ounce curls," Neri said with a smile.

Mike Tirado said he's never raced a bed before and learned a valuable lesson during this year's competition.

"It's interesting and shows you how out of shape you are when pushing a grown man down the street in a bed," Tirado said.

After the race, the Black Road Parade ambled down Brewster Street, with Mayor Bill Finch and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman joining a variety of floats and displays, including the Bridgeport Cavalry Volunteers and the Shelton-based Connecticut Alumni Senior Drum and Bugle Corps.